Yoson An brings physical assurance and easy chemistry to action films whose writing has not always helped him. We find him promising, but the thin supporting parts leave too much of his acting untested.
Fi1m perspective
In Mulan (2020), Yoson An plays Chen Honghui, Mulan’s ally and love interest, making the physical demands credible and supplying some welcome chemistry. His martial-arts preparation helps, but Niki Caro’s film rarely gives its characters the hesitation, friction or humour that might make them individual. We can see why he belongs in an action ensemble; there is less chance to see what he might do beyond it.
An had already carried substantial roles before Mulan brought him wider attention. Ghost Bride (2013) gave him an early starring part, while Dead Lucky (2018) cast him opposite Rachel Griffiths as rookie policeman Charlie Fung. The move into larger international features has often put him among bigger casts in supporting parts. Television continued to offer leading roles, including the historical drama New Gold Mountain (2021). We would not treat those parts as a sideline simply because the action films are more conspicuous.
Plane (2023), in which he plays Samuel Dele, is the more satisfying of the two films we have reviewed. Jean-François Richet gives the emergency landing time to become frightening, while Brendan Galvin’s restrictive cockpit framing and David Rosenbloom’s patient editing keep the problem clear. We were properly tense during the descent because the people at the controls had work to do, and the film let us watch them do it. Gerard Butler and Mike Colter get the substantial partnership; the supporting characters remain thin. An benefits from a film that makes practical effort convincing, without being given much scope to distinguish himself.
We would be cautious about judging him chiefly through these action ensembles. In Mulan, Mandy Walker’s vivid colour gives us more pleasure than most of the conversations, a poor bargain for anyone playing the love interest. The romantic comedy Five Blind Dates (2024), with An as Richard Teo, offers a different sort of leading part. We would welcome more roles that give him time to speak, disagree and be funny before asking him to fight.
Biography
Yoson An (born 23 June 1992) is a New Zealand actor and filmmaker. Born in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, he grew up learning English at an international school in Macau before his family settled in Auckland when he was about eight years old. He attended Saint Kentigern College in Auckland, where he studied music and took part in school productions, and began acting professionally in 2012.
An is known for his role as Chen Honghui in the 2020 Disney film Mulan. His other film credits include The Meg (2018), Mortal Engines (2018), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016) and Plane (2023). He has also appeared in television series including Dead Lucky (2018), The Luminaries (2020) and Five Blind Dates (2024). In addition to acting, An has directed and produced short films.
